At Nebraska Law, we develop inclusive leaders who advance justice, solve problems, and serve with integrity.
The Inclusive Leadership Development Program is Nebraska Law's intentional approach to professional identity formation. Through coursework, reflection, experiential learning, community engagement, mentorship, and leadership opportunities, students learn to lead themselves, lead others, and lead ideas that influence their profession and communities.
Beginning during orientation and continuing through graduation, students engage in a developmental process that helps them build the habits, skills, values, and professional judgment necessary to thrive as lawyers and leaders. This process aligns with Nebraska Law's mission and our commitment to preparing students for a lifetime of learning, service, and ethical leadership.
What is Inclusive Leadership?
An inclusive leader is a person who understands themselves, values the experiences and perspectives of others, and uses their skills and influence to move people, organizations, and ideas forward.
For lawyers, inclusive leadership means:
- Leading with integrity, curiosity, professionalism, and thorough preparation.
- Understanding how personal experiences shape perspectives.
- Working effectively with people whose experiences and perspectives may differ from your own.
- Building relationships that foster trust and collaboration.
- Using legal knowledge and advocacy to solve problems and advance justice.
Because lawyers lead clients, organizations, communities, and institutions, leadership development is an essential component of legal education.
This work occurs across all three years of law school through a developmental framework focused on Self-Leadership, Leadership of Others, and Leadership of Ideas & Movements.
The Inclusive Leadership Development Framework
Self-Leadership
Leadership begins with the ability to lead yourself in the legal profession, where you will manage high-stakes work, competing deadlines, complex information, and the responsibility to communicate clearly and persuasively on behalf of and with clients. Students begin developing that capacity on Day 1.
The primary focus of Self-Leadership occurs during the first year of law school, though it continues throughout a student's legal education. Nebraska Law's Self-Leadership model is grounded in the belief that students must learn to lead themselves before they can effectively lead others.
Key areas include:
- Well-being and self-management
- Academic development
- Professionalism
- Reflection and self-awareness
- Resilience and growth
- Help-seeking and resource utilization
Leadership of Others
As students gain confidence and experience, they begin developing the ability to support, influence, collaborate with, and serve others.
Leadership of Others becomes a significant focus during the 2L and 3L years as students increasingly engage in collaborative and/or client-centered work. Students develop Leadership of Others through:
- Competitions
- Skills courses
- Student organizations
- Pro bono opportunities
- Clinical & Externship experiences
- Mentoring and peer leadership opportunities
- Service as Inclusive Leadership Fellows
Leadership of Ideas & Movements
The most advanced stage of professional identity formation focuses on helping students understand how lawyers shape systems, organizations, policy, and communities. This work prepares graduates to use their legal education to advance justice, solve problems, and serve their communities throughout their careers.
Students develop Leadership of Ideas & Movements through:
- Clinical practice and other Senior Certified work experiences
- Student organization leadership
- Service on committees
- Community engagement
- Public interest and pro bono service
- Advocacy and problem-solving initiatives
1L Practice Group Program
The 1L Practice Group Program is the foundation of the Inclusive Leadership Development Program.
Each incoming law student is assigned to a small Practice Group led by two Inclusive Leadership Fellows and one faculty advisor. Groups first meet during New Student Orientation and continue meeting throughout the academic year.
Practice Groups provide students with an academic, personal, and professional support network as they transition into law school and begin developing their professional identities as future lawyers.Through structured conversations and group activities focused on academics, wellness, community, professionalism, and reflection, students learn that success in law school requires academic excellence, community belonging, and personal well-being.
Student Outcomes
Through participation in the Practice Group Program, students will:
- Develop academic skills necessary for success in law school.
- Develop a sense of belonging in the Nebraska Law community.
- Establish a network of peers and mentors.
- Understand the importance of difference and its impact on experience.
- Exhibit personal and professional growth.
These outcomes serve as the foundation for continued leadership development throughout law school.
Inclusive Leadership Fellows
Inclusive Leadership Fellows are selected second- and third-year students who serve as peer leaders and mentors for the 1L Practice Groups.
Fellows are chosen through a competitive application process and receive training in:
- Strengths-based Leadership
- Mentoring
- Facilitation
- Reflective Practice & Active listening
- Academic support
- Student referral practices
- Inclusive community building
Each Fellow co-leads a Practice Group and works closely with incoming students throughout their first year.
The Fellowship experience allows upper-class students to develop advanced leadership competencies while helping create the inclusive and supportive community that defines the Nebraska Law experience.
Fellowship Outcomes
Through the Fellowship experience, students develop:
- Leadership and facilitation skills
- Mentoring and coaching skills
- Communication and interpersonal effectiveness
- Cultural competency
- Professional judgment
- Organization and planning skills
Serving as an Inclusive Leadership Fellow is one of Nebraska Law's premier student leadership opportunities.
Program Goals
By graduation, Nebraska Law students will:
- Use legal knowledge and professional skills to solve problems, advance justice, and serve with integrity.
- Demonstrate strong professional judgment and ethical responsibility.
- Understand how to leverage their strengths to succeed personally and professionally.
- Practice habits that support long-term well-being and resilience.
- Collaborate effectively with clients, colleagues, and communities.
- Lead with an appreciation for diverse perspectives and experiences.
- Continue their development as inclusive leaders throughout their careers.
These goals reflect Nebraska Law's commitment to preparing graduates not only to practice law successfully, but also to lead in their professions and communities.